Traditional Martial ArtsNaka Ima Kan

Koshin-ha Chito-ryu Karate Dojo

About

Naka Ima Kan teaches the system of Chito-ryu Karate. Developed by Tsuyoshi Chitose, Chito-ryu is a traditional style of martial arts rooted in the principles and techniques of Okinawan Karate. The system emphasizes practical fighting applications derived from its core kata (forms) curriculum. Students develop themselves through constant attention to kihon-waza (foundational techniques) and regular practice of 2-person drills. Students are trained to assess the severity of a possible violent conflict and take appropriate actions to avoid the confrontation if at all possible and if not, to end it quickly using a variety of punches, kicks, strikes, joint locks, take downs and chokes from a standing, sitting or lying position.

Instructor

Sensei Brian Buirge has been training in the martial arts since 2000 under his teacher Terry Valentino, Hanshi (8th degree black belt in Chito-ryu Karate, 2nd degree black belt in Koseido-ryu Jiu-jitsu). He’s an active member of the Koshin-ha Chito-ryu Karate Association, holding the rank of yon-dan (4th degree black belt) and he is also an active member of the Koseido-ryu Jiu-jitsu Association, holding the rank of sho-den (1st degree black belt). In 2003 he began formal training in Koseido-ryu Jiu-jitsu under current head-instructor Joseph Hedderman, Hanshi and his son Tony Hedderman, Kyoshi. Sensei Buirge also spent years visiting and training regularly under James Davenport, Hanshi prior to his passing.

Class Times

Tuesday: 7:00–8:30 a.m.Thursday: 7:00–8:30 a.m.

Private classes are held twice a week. Students may elect to attend one class a week while others may choose to attend two classes. It is important to understand that it is only logical that students who commit more time to training will advance in skill faster than students who cannot train as often.

Location

Philosophy

In the philosophy of Shinto, there is a term naka ima which means quite literally “in the center of now.” Restated in terms of Western philosophical thought it might be titled the doctrine of the “Ultimate Reality of Presentness.”

In Shinto, naka ima is the way of thinking that sees every moment and its activities as having intrinsic value. These moments should not be looked upon as peremptory moments, as perhaps necessary but nevertheless irksome stepping stones to the future, but rather as the future while it is coming into being and happening. Therefore every act and every moment is possessed of its own unique properties and qualities—those features which constitute its intrinsic value, and if each is given full worth, the cumulative results will justify all the effort that has been put into them. (Quoted from Kami no Michi)

In keeping with our philosophy of the ‘center of now,’ we believe our traditional approach is the means by which we link between our past and future. We value our responsibility for transmitting the heritage bestowed upon us to the next generation.